# Obama Presidential Center in Chicago Has Opened {June 18, 2026} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 18, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006 "2026-06-18T17:39:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/21 "2026-06-19T12:47:40Z")
I like well-done brutalist architecture. The OPC is well-done brutalist architecture. Thumbs up from me. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/22 "2026-06-20T19:27:06Z")
Maybe I have no taste but I liked the building. It seemed to fit with the surroundings. I like the quote on it. It stands out without being too gaudy or froufrou. It has presence and gravitas with enough interesting angles to avoid being a boring gray rectangle. I also appreciate the inclusion of non-presidential areas like the history section, although I think that Obama was right when he said people are just going to want to see Michelle’s dresses. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/23 "2026-06-20T20:41:59Z")
I was surprised by the profile – I somehow expected a low-rise building, and this is more like a small skyscraper. As to the “brutalist” architecture, I’d probably have to see it IRL to decide if I like it, but it’s definitely an avant-garde modern look. I think one reason people may not like it is that it doesn’t have a lot of windows, and in fact from some angles none at all, which gives it kind of a bunker look, or maybe a gold storage vault like Fort Knox. I’m not fond of the huge quotes on the building, which I think would have been better placed inside. But all of that aside, yes, the Obamas are absolutely a class act. Both are the epitome of grace and refinement – such an incredible contrast to the toxic dreck currently polluting Washington that it makes one despair for the future. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/24 "2026-06-20T20:47:23Z")
I happen to be in College Station, Texas this weekend for work and couldn’t think of anything else to do so I visited the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. I didn’t vote for him during either presidential election but the contrast with the current occupant of the White House couldn’t be clearer, especially in how his background and experience qualified him for the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/25 "2026-06-20T21:04:57Z")
Quite probably the ugliest new building on the planet! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/26 "2026-06-21T02:20:25Z")
> **[WATCH: Obamas surprise first 100 in line on first day of new Chicago center](https://www.nbcchicago.com/video/top-videos-home/watch-obamas-surprise-first-100-in-line-on-first-day-of-new-chicago-center/3951204/)** > > Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama surprised guests in line for the official Juneteenth public opening of the new Obama Presidential Center. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/27 "2026-06-21T02:28:14Z")
Heartwarming and classy! In my estimation, Obama rivals JFK as the best US president in (my) living memory. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006/28 "2026-06-21T02:28:46Z")
It was carved from a single block of granite, and how they got it from Peru to Chicago will forever be a mystery. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-presidential-center-in-chicago-has-opened-june-18-2026/1031006.md?page=1)